There's nothing quite like seeing jolly ol' Saint Nick hit Toronto streets to remind you that Christmas is right around the corner (and incite mounting panic about the imminent gift-giving season). The 108th Santa Claus Parade took place yesterday afternoon, and in addition to the generously-girthed, white-bearded man himself, there were 28 floats, over 20 bands, and a huge crowd of patient fathers sporting excited toddlers on their shoulders. The floats included a celebration of the Grey Cup's 100th edition, clowns, Oreos, Little Red Riding Hood flanked by wolves, and Barbie. It was a colourful, boisterous instalment of the largest children's parade in North America--and now we can look forward to a month and a half of holiday music.

Here are photos of the over-the-top cheer.

Photos by Brian Morton

Photos from the blogTO Flickr pool

Photo by owen_yeo

Photo by JY:) / J. Yeaman

Photo by JY:) / J. Yeaman